Load-managed electrochemical energy generation system

ABSTRACT

Described embodiments include a system and a method. A system includes a controllable electrochemical cell configured to output electric power. The controllable cell includes an electrolyte and a first working electrode configured to transfer electrons to or from the electrolyte. The controllable cell includes a second working electrode configured to transfer electrons to or from the electrolyte. The controllable cell includes a gating electrode spaced-apart from the second working electrode. The gating electrode is configured, if biased relative to the second working electrode, to modify an electric charge, field, or potential in the space between the electrolyte and the second working electrode. The controllable cell includes a control circuit coupled to the gating electrode of the controllable cell and configured to apply a biasing signal responsive to an electrical property of an external electrical load coupled to the controllable cell.

PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/953,985, filed on Jul. 30, 2013, the entire disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference.

If an Application Data Sheet (ADS) has been filed on the filing date ofthis application, it is incorporated by reference herein. Anyapplications claimed on the ADS for priority under 35 U.S.C. §§ 119,120, 121, or 365(c), and any and all parent, grandparent,great-grandparent, etc. applications of such applications, are alsoincorporated by reference, including any priority claims made in thoseapplications and any material incorporated by reference, to the extentsuch subject matter is not inconsistent herewith.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of the earliest availableeffective filing date(s) from the following listed application(s) (the“Priority Applications”), if any, listed below (e.g., claims earliestavailable priority dates for other than provisional patent applicationsor claims benefits under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) for provisional patentapplications, for any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent,etc. applications of the Priority Application(s)). In addition, thepresent application is related to the “Related Applications,” if any,listed below.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/954,007, entitled ELECTROCHEMICALENERGY GENERATION SYSTEM HAVING INDIVIDUALLY CONTROLLABLE CELLS, namingRoderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, and Lowell L. Wood, Jr. as inventors,filed Jul. 30, 2013 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,343,783), is related to thepresent application.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/954,032, entitled MANAGED ACCESSELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY GENERATION SYSTEM, naming Roderick A. Hyde,Jordin T. Kare, and Lowell L. Wood, Jr. as inventors, filed Jul. 30,2013, is related to the present application.

If the listings of applications provided above are inconsistent with thelistings provided via an ADS, it is the intent of the Applicant to claimpriority to each application that appears in the Priority Applicationssection of the ADS and to each application that appears in the PriorityApplications section of this application.

All subject matter of the Priority Applications and the RelatedApplications and of any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent,etc. applications of the Priority Applications and the RelatedApplications, including any priority claims, is incorporated herein byreference to the extent such subject matter is not inconsistentherewith.

SUMMARY

For example, and without limitation, an embodiment of the subject matterdescribed herein includes a system. The system includes a controllableelectrochemical cell configured to output electric power. Thecontrollable cell includes an electrolyte and a first working electrodeconfigured to transfer electrons to or from the electrolyte. Thecontrollable cell includes a second working electrode configured totransfer electrons to or from the electrolyte. The controllable cellincludes a gating electrode spaced-apart from the second workingelectrode. The gating electrode is configured, if biased relative to thesecond working electrode, to modify an electric charge, field, orpotential in the space between the electrolyte and the second workingelectrode. The controllable cell includes a control circuit coupled tothe gating electrode of the controllable cell and configured to apply abiasing signal responsive to an electrical property of an externalelectrical load coupled to the controllable cell.

For example, and without limitation, an embodiment of the subject matterdescribed herein includes a method. The method includes coupling acontrollable electrochemical cell to an electrical load. Thecontrollable cell includes a working electrode configured to transferelectrons to or from an electrolyte of the controllable cell. Thecontrollable cell includes a gating electrode spaced-apart from theworking electrode and configured, if biased relative to the workingelectrode, to modify an electric charge, field, or potential in thespace between the electrolyte and the working electrode. The methodincludes receiving indicia of an electrical property of the electricalload. The method includes biasing a gating electrode of the controllablecell in response to the indicia of the electrical property of theelectrical load.

In an embodiment, the method includes sensing indicia of a change incurrent draw or a voltage across output terminal electrodes of thecontrollable cell. In an embodiment, the method includes sensing indiciaof an increased temperature of the controllable cell. In an embodiment,the method includes outputting electric power from the controllable cellto the electrical load.

For example, and without limitation, an embodiment of the subject matterdescribed herein includes a system. The system includes means forcoupling a controllable electrochemical cell configured to outputelectric power to an electrical load. The controllable cell includes aworking electrode configured to transfer electrons to or from anelectrolyte of the controllable cell. The controllable cell includes agating electrode spaced-apart from the working electrode and configuredif biased relative to the working electrode to modify an electriccharge, field, or potential in the space between the electrolyte and theworking electrode. The system includes means for receiving indicia of anelectrical property of the electrical load. The system includes meansfor biasing a gating electrode of the controllable cell in response tothe indicia of the electrical property of the electrical load.

In an embodiment, the system includes means for sensing indicia of achange in current draw or a voltage across output terminal electrodes ofthe controllable cell. In an embodiment, the system includes means forsensing indicia of an increased temperature of the controllable cell.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be inany way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments,and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and featureswill become apparent by reference to the drawings and the followingdetailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example environment 100 in whichembodiments may be implemented;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example operational flow 200;

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the operational flow 200of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example system 300;

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an environment 400 in which embodimentsmay be implemented;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example operational flow 500;

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the operational flow 500of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example system 600;

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates an environment 700 in which embodimentsmay be implemented;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example operational flow 800;

FIG. 11 schematically illustrates an environment 900; and

FIG. 12 illustrates an example operational flow 1000.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings,similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless contextdictates otherwise. The illustrated embodiments described in thedetailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting.Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made,without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matterpresented here.

Those having skill in the art will recognize that the state of the arthas progressed to the point where there is little distinction leftbetween hardware, software, and/or firmware implementations of aspectsof systems; the use of hardware, software, and/or firmware is generally(but not always, in that in certain contexts the choice between hardwareand software can become significant) a design choice representing costvs. efficiency tradeoffs. Those having skill in the art will appreciatethat there are various implementations by which processes and/or systemsand/or other technologies described herein can be effected (e.g.,hardware, software, and/or firmware), and that the preferredimplementation will vary with the context in which the processes and/orsystems and/or other technologies are deployed. For example, if animplementer determines that speed and accuracy are paramount, theimplementer may opt for a mainly hardware and/or firmwareimplementation; alternatively, if flexibility is paramount, theimplementer may opt for a mainly software implementation; or, yet againalternatively, the implementer may opt for some combination of hardware,software, and/or firmware. Hence, there are several possibleimplementations by which the processes and/or devices and/or othertechnologies described herein may be effected, none of which isinherently superior to the other in that any implementation to beutilized is a choice dependent upon the context in which theimplementation will be deployed and the specific concerns (e.g., speed,flexibility, or predictability) of the implementer, any of which mayvary. Those skilled in the art will recognize that optical aspects ofimplementations will typically employ optically-oriented hardware,software, and or firmware.

In some implementations described herein, logic and similarimplementations may include software or other control structuressuitable to implement an operation. Electronic circuitry, for example,may manifest one or more paths of electrical current constructed andarranged to implement various logic functions as described herein. Insome implementations, one or more media are configured to bear adevice-detectable implementation if such media hold or transmit aspecial-purpose device instruction set operable to perform as describedherein. In some variants, for example, this may manifest as an update orother modification of existing software or firmware, or of gate arraysor other programmable hardware, such as by performing a reception of ora transmission of one or more instructions in relation to one or moreoperations described herein. Alternatively or additionally, in somevariants, an implementation may include special-purpose hardware,software, firmware components, and/or general-purpose componentsexecuting or otherwise invoking special-purpose components.Specifications or other implementations may be transmitted by one ormore instances of tangible transmission media as described herein,optionally by packet transmission or otherwise by passing throughdistributed media at various times.

Alternatively or additionally, implementations may include executing aspecial-purpose instruction sequence or otherwise invoking circuitry forenabling, triggering, coordinating, requesting, or otherwise causing oneor more occurrences of any functional operations described below. Insome variants, operational or other logical descriptions herein may beexpressed directly as source code and compiled or otherwise invoked asan executable instruction sequence. In some contexts, for example, C++or other code sequences can be compiled directly or otherwiseimplemented in high-level descriptor languages (e.g., alogic-synthesizable language, a hardware description language, ahardware design simulation, and/or other such similar mode(s) ofexpression). Alternatively or additionally, some or all of the logicalexpression may be manifested as a Verilog-type hardware description orother circuitry model before physical implementation in hardware,especially for basic operations or timing-critical applications. Thoseskilled in the art will recognize how to obtain, configure, and optimizesuitable transmission or computational elements, material supplies,actuators, or other common structures in light of these teachings.

In a general sense, those skilled in the art will also recognize thatthe various aspects described herein which can be implemented,individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software,firmware, and/or any combination thereof can be viewed as being composedof various types of “electrical circuitry.” Consequently, as used herein“electrical circuitry” includes, but is not limited to, electricalcircuitry having at least one discrete electrical circuit, electricalcircuitry having at least one integrated circuit, electrical circuitryhaving at least one application specific integrated circuit, electricalcircuitry forming a general purpose computing device configured by acomputer program (e.g., a general purpose computer configured by acomputer program which at least partially carries out processes and/ordevices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computerprogram which at least partially carries out processes and/or devicesdescribed herein), electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g.,forms of memory (e.g., random access, flash, read only, etc.)), and/orelectrical circuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a modem,communications switch, optical-electrical equipment, etc.). Those havingskill in the art will recognize that the subject matter described hereinmay be implemented in an analog or digital fashion or some combinationthereof.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example environment 100 in whichembodiments may be implemented. The environment includes a system 105and an external load 190. The system includes a controllableelectrochemical cell 110 configured to output electric power,illustrated by a current “I” 116. The controllable electrochemical cellmay include a voltaic cell, a flow cell, a fuel cell, or other devicesthat convert chemical energy into electrical energy. The controllablecell may be a non-rechargeable or a rechargeable controllable cell. Thecontrollable cell includes an electrolyte 112. For example, in anembodiment, an electrolyte may be described as a substance that conductscharged ions from one working electrode to the other working electrodeinside an electrochemical cell. In an embodiment, the electrolyte mayinclude a commonly used electrolyte used to conduct electrons betweenelectrodes in an electrochemical cell. For example, the electrolyte mayinclude sulfuric acid in a lead-acid battery, lithium salts in alithium-ion battery, potassium hydroxide in a NiMH battery, or anaqueous alkaline solution in a metal hydride fuel cell. The controllablecell includes a first working electrode 120 configured to transferelectrons to or from the electrolyte. The controllable cell includes asecond working electrode 130 configured to transfer electrons to or fromthe electrolyte. The electrons are illustrated by “e.sup.-” 114 in theelectrolyte, and are further illustrated as flowing from the secondworking electrode to the first electrode when the controllable cell isdischarging electricity. In an embodiment where the controllable cell isbeing recharged, the electrons flow from the first electrode to thesecond electrode. In an embodiment, a working electrode is an electrodein an electrochemical system on which the reaction of interest isoccurring. In an embodiment, a terminal electrode is an electrode towhich a load is coupled. In certain instances, a working electrode mayalso be a terminal electrode. The controllable cell includes a gatingelectrode 140 spaced-apart from the second working electrode. The gatingelectrode is configured if biased relative to the second workingelectrode to modify an electric charge, field, or potential in the space142 between the electrolyte and the second working electrode. In anembodiment, the gating electrode may be spaced apart from the firstelectrode instead of the second electrode. The controllable cellincludes a control circuit 150 coupled to the gating electrode of thecontrollable cell and configured to apply a biasing signal responsive toan electrical property of the external electrical load 190 coupled tothe controllable cell. In an embodiment, the external electrical loadmay include load that absorbs power from or supplies power to thecontrollable cell in the case where the controllable cell isrechargeable. In an embodiment, the external electrical load includes acurrent sink. For example, a current sink may include a resistive load.For example, a current sink may include an electronic device, such as acomputing device. For example, a current sink may include an electricfraction motor of an electric or hybrid vehicle. In an embodiment, theexternal electric load may include a current source. For example, acurrent source may include charging device charging or configured torecharge the electrochemical cell.

In an embodiment, the controllable cell 110 is configured to outputhigh-current electric power. For example, a output high-currentconfiguration may include thin working electrodes that are relativelyclosely spaced. For example, a output high-current configuration mayinclude working electrodes with a large area, and a relatively small gapbetween the first working electrode 120 and the second working electrode130. In an embodiment, the controllable cell is configured to allow adrain rate greater than 2 C without overheating or damage. The C-ratesignifies a discharge rate relative to the capacity of a battery in onehour. A rate of 1 C would mean an entire 1.6 Ah battery would bedischarged in 1 hour at a discharge current of 1.6 A. A 2 C rate wouldmean a discharge current of 3.2 A. In an embodiment, the controllablecell is configured to allow a drain rate greater than 4 C withoutoverheating or damage. In an embodiment, the controllable cell isconfigured to allow a drain rate greater than 8 C without overheating ordamage. For example, a high-drain-rate Li-polymer battery developed fora high-discharge current for a short period of time may allow a drainrate of between 5 C-35 C rate without overheating or damage. In anembodiment, the controllable cell is configured to allow a drain rategreater than 12 C without overheating or damage. In an embodiment, thecontrollable cell is configured to store or output electrical power.

In an embodiment, the current 116 flowing through the controllable cell110 flows predominantly between the first electrode 120 and the secondelectrode 130. In an embodiment, the first working electrode is in afirst interfacial region 122 of the electrolyte 112 proximate to thefirst working electrode. In an embodiment, the second working electrodeis in a second interfacial region 132 of the electrolyte proximate tothe second working electrode. In an embodiment, the gating electrode isspaced-apart 142 from the second working electrode, and interposed inthe electrolyte in a path of electron flow between the first workingelectrode and the second working electrode. In an embodiment, the gatingelectrode is appropriately spaced-apart 142 from the second workingelectrode in response to a desired characteristic of the controllablecell. In an embodiment, the gating electrode is appropriatelyspaced-apart 142 from the second working electrode in response to anelectrochemistry of the controllable cell. In an embodiment, the firstworking electrode, the second working electrode, the gating electrode,and the control circuitry are configured or optimized to deliver pulsedelectric power to the external electrical load 190.

In an embodiment, the gating electrode 140 is spaced-apart 142 from thesecond working electrode 130 and configured to accelerate or facilitatea release or movement of electrons from the second electrode and intothe electrolyte 112 in response to an application of a voltage bias. Forexample, in an embodiment, the applied voltage bias may be considered ascreating an accelerating potential. For example, in an embodiment, thegating electrode and the second electrode are very close together, i.e.,within an electron diffusion distance, and the applied voltage bias tothe gating electrode pulls the electrons 114 free of a surface of thesecond working electrode. In an embodiment, the release or movement ofelectrons from the second electrode in response to the application ofthe voltage bias is at least twice the release or movement of electronsfrom the second electrode without the application of the voltage bias.In an embodiment, the release or movement of electrons from the secondelectrode in response to the application of the voltage bias is at leastfour times the release or movement of electrons from the secondelectrode without the application of the voltage bias. In an embodiment,the control circuit 150 is configured to apply to the gating electrode140 the voltage bias accelerating or facilitating the release ormovement of electrons.

In an embodiment, the gating electrode 140 is spaced-apart 142 from thesecond working electrode 130 and configured to retard or inhibit arelease or movement of electrons from the second electrode and into theelectrolyte 112 in response to an application of a voltage bias. Forexample, the voltage bias may be considered as a retarding potential.For example, in an embodiment, the gating electrode and the secondelectrode are very close together, i.e., within electron diffusiondistance, and the biased gating electrode 140 holds, retards, orinhibits movement of the electrons at the surface of the secondelectrode. In an embodiment, the release or movement of electrons fromthe second electrode in response to the application of the retarding orinhibiting voltage bias is less than one-tenth of the release ormovement of electrons from the second electrode without the applicationof the retarding or inhibiting voltage bias. In an embodiment, therelease or movement of electrons from the second electrode in responseto the application of the retarding or inhibiting voltage bias is lessthan one-hundredth of the release or movement of electrons from thesecond electrode without the application of the retarding or inhibitingvoltage bias. In an embodiment, the control circuit 150 is configured toapply to the gating electrode the voltage bias retarding or inhibiting arelease or movement of electrons.

In an embodiment, the control circuit 150 is configured to apply abiasing voltage to the gating electrode 140 of the controllable cell 110facilitating a release or movement of electrons during current pulses tothe external electrical load 190. In an embodiment, the control circuitis configured to apply a biasing voltage to the gating electrode of thecontrollable cell suppressing a self-discharge current. For example, theself-discharge current may be suppressed between current pulses. Forexample, the self-discharge current may be suppressed during a period ofinactivity, such as when the controllable cell is in storage. In anembodiment, the biasing voltage suppressing a self-discharge current isprovided by the controllable cell. In an embodiment, the biasing voltagesuppressing a self-discharge current is provided by a voltage sourceother than the controllable cell. For example, the voltage source mayinclude a power supply fed by a commonly available 50 or 60 cyclecurrent. In an embodiment, the biasing voltage suppressing aself-discharge current is provided by another cell coupled in serieswith the controllable cell. For example, the another cell may includeanother controllable cell coupled in a series with the controllablecell.

In an embodiment, the control circuit 150 is configured to apply abiasing signal responsive to an electric power requirement of theexternal electrical load 190 coupled to the controllable cell 110. In anembodiment, the control circuit is configured to apply a biasing signalresponsive to a condition of an external electrical load coupled to thecontrollable cell. In an embodiment, the control circuit is configuredto apply at least a part of an output voltage of the controllable cellto the gating electrode so that the controllable cell has at least twostable output states corresponding to a low impedance and a highimpedance.

In an embodiment, the control circuit 150 is configured to decrease aneffective electrochemical voltage of the controllable cell 110 orincrease an effective internal resistance of the controllable cell byapplying a biasing signal responsive to a current 116 flow to theexternal electrical load 190 exceeding a predetermined value. Forexample, the biasing signal may apply a biasing voltage to the gatingelectrode 140 retarding a release or movement of electrons from thesecond working electrode 130. For example, an in-line current sensor(not illustrated) may sense the current flow exceeding a predeterminedvalue. In an embodiment, the control circuit is configured to decreasean effective electrochemical voltage of the controllable cell orincrease an effective internal resistance of the controllable cell byapplying a biasing signal responsive to a sensed voltage drop across aninternal shunt resistance of the controllable cell exceeding apredetermined value. For example, an in-line current sensor (notillustrated) may sense the current flow to the external electrical load.In an embodiment, the control circuit is configured to decrease aneffective electrochemical voltage of the controllable cell or increasean effective internal resistance of the controllable cell by applying abiasing signal responsive to a sensed temperature rise within thecontrollable cell exceeding a predetermined value. For example, atemperature sensor may sense a temperature rise in the electrolyte 112,or a temperature rise may be inferred in response to an increasedcurrent flow to the external electrical load.

In an embodiment, the gating electrode 140 may be structured as a gridor a patterned structure that is close to but separate from a workingelectrode, such as the second working electrode 130. In an embodiment,the gating electrode may be thought of as functioning similarly to agrid controlling current in a vacuum tube. In an embodiment, the screengrid includes a screen grid surrounding or enclosing a portion of acircumference of a columnar second working electrode 130. In anembodiment, the screen grid includes a substantially planar screen gridspaced-apart 142 from a substantially planar second working electrode.In an embodiment, the gating electrode is disposed in an electrolyteflow channel. In an embodiment, a surface described by the gatingelectrode substantially mirrors and is spaced-apart from a surfacedescribed by the second working electrode. In an embodiment, the gatingelectrode provides a relatively low area coverage fraction relative tothe area of its proximate working electrode. In an embodiment, thespacing between conductors of the gating electrode is less than orcomparable to the thickness of the interfacial region.

In an embodiment, the control circuit 150 is configured to generate thebiasing signal responsive to an arbitrary waveform requirement of anexternal electrical load 190 coupled to the controllable cell 110. In anembodiment, the arbitrary waveform requirement includes a DC wave. In anembodiment, the arbitrary waveform requirement includes a unipolarpulsed DC wave. In an embodiment, the arbitrary waveform requirementincludes a varying unipolar DC voltage. For example, a varying unipolarDC wave may include a half sine wave, or a DC offset wave. In anembodiment, the arbitrary waveform requirement includes a DC wave havinga peak of less than 2 volts. In an embodiment, the external load 190coupled to the controllable cell includes a low-voltage computercircuit.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example operational flow 200. After a startoperation, the operational flow includes reception operation 220. Thereception operation includes indicia of an electrical property of anelectrical load coupled to a controllable electrochemical cell. In anembodiment, “indicia” may include one data point, such as an impedanceof the electrical load. In an embodiment, “indicia” may include two ormore data points, such as impedance and a timing signal. In anembodiment, the reception operation may be implemented by the controlcircuit 150 described in conjunction with FIG. 1 receiving a result froma testing the external load 150 for the electrical property, orreceiving the indicia of the electrical property from the electricalload or a third-party device. A control operation 230 includes biasing agating electrode of the controllable cell in response to the indicia ofthe electrical property of the electrical load. In an embodiment, thecontrol operation may be implemented by the control unit biasing thegating electrode 140 described in conjunction with FIG. 1 in response tothe indicia of the electrical property of the electrical load. Theoperational flow includes an end operation. The controllable cell isconfigured to output electric power and includes a working electrodeconfigured to transfer electrons to or from an electrolyte of thecontrollable cell. The gating electrode is spaced-apart from the workingelectrode and configured if biased relative to the working electrode tomodify an electric charge, field, or potential in the space between theelectrolyte and the working electrode.

In an alternative embodiment, the operational flow 200 includes aconnection operation 210. The connection operation includes coupling thecontrollable electrochemical cell to the electrical load. In anembodiment, the connection operation may be implemented by connectingterminal electrodes of the controllable cell 110 with the external load190 described in conjunction with FIG. 1.

In an embodiment, the reception operation 220 includes receiving dataindicative of a current draw or a voltage drop across output terminalelectrodes of the controllable cell coupled with the electrical load. Inan embodiment, the reception operation includes receiving indicia of anelectric power requirement of the electrical load. In an embodiment, thereception operation includes receiving indicia of a condition of theelectrical load. In an embodiment, the reception operation includesreceiving timing data or synchronization data related to the electricalload.

In an embodiment, the control operation 230 includes applying a voltagebias to the gating electrode facilitating or accelerating a release ormovement of electrons from the working electrode and into theelectrolyte. In an embodiment, the control operation includes applying avoltage bias to the gating electrode facilitating or accelerating acapture or movement of electrons into the working electrode from theelectrolyte. In an embodiment, the control operation includes applying avoltage bias to the gating electrode retarding or inhibiting a releaseor movement of electrons from the working electrode and into theelectrolyte. In an embodiment, the control operation includes applying avoltage bias to the gating electrode retarding or inhibiting a captureor movement of electrons from the electrolyte and into the workingelectrode.

In an embodiment, the reception operation 220 includes receiving indiciaof a high electric power output requirement from the controllable cell.For example, the indicia may be for an immediate or a future highelectric power output requirement. For example, a high electric powerrequirement may include a substantially maximum current output from thecontrollable cell. In an embodiment, the control operation 230 includesapplying a voltage bias to the gating electrode facilitating a releaseor movement of electrons from the working electrode and into theelectrolyte in response to the received indicia of a high electric poweroutput requirement from the controllable cell. In an alternativeembodiment where the controllable cell configuration includes theworking electrode capturing electrons instead of emitting electrons asillustrated in FIG. 1, the control operation would apply a voltage biasto the gating electrode facilitating a capture or movement of electronsfrom the electrolyte and into the working electrode electrolyte inresponse to the received indicia of a high electric power outputrequirement from the controllable cell. In an embodiment, the receptionoperation includes receiving indicia indicative of a minimal electricpower output requirement by the controllable cell. For example, aminimal electric power requirement may include a near or substantiallyzero electric power output requirement. In an embodiment, the controloperation includes applying a voltage bias to the gating electroderetarding or inhibiting a release or movement of electrons from theworking electrode and into the electrolyte in response to the receivedindicia a minimal electric power output requirement by the controllablecell.

In an embodiment, the reception operation 220 includes receiving indiciaof an increased current draw or a voltage drop across output terminalelectrodes of the controllable cell. For example, the increased currentdraw or voltage drop may occur because the current drawn fromcontrollable cell exceeds an operating parameter, with a possibleconsequence to the controllable cell becoming too hot or otherwisedamaged. In an embodiment, the control operation 230 includes applying avoltage bias to the gating electrode retarding or inhibiting a releaseor movement of electrons from the working electrode and into theelectrolyte in response to the received indicia of an increased currentdraw or a voltage drop. For example, such biasing is expected to reducethe power outputted by the controllable cell in the presence of a shortcircuit or overheating.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the operational flow 200of FIG. 2. The alternative embodiment may include at least oneadditional operation 250. The at least one additional operation mayinclude an operation 252 sensing indicia of a change in current draw ora voltage across output terminal electrodes of the controllable cell. Inthis embodiment, the reception operation 220 may include receiving thesensed indicia of a change in current draw or a voltage across theoutput terminal electrodes of the controllable cell. In this embodiment,the control operation 230 may include applying a voltage bias to thegating electrode facilitating a release or movement of electrons fromthe working electrode and into the electrolyte in response to thereceived indicia of a change in current draw or a voltage. Applicationof such voltage bias is expected to increase current output by thecontrollable cell in a configuration where the working electrode isemitting electrons. In this embodiment, the control operation mayinclude applying a voltage bias to the gating electrode retarding orinhibiting a release or movement of electrons from the working electrodeand into the electrolyte in response to the received indicia of a changein current draw or a voltage. Application of such voltage bias isexpected to decrease current output by the controllable cell in aconfiguration where the working electrode is capturing electrons. Inthis embodiment, the control operation may include applying a voltagebias to the gating electrode retarding or inhibiting a release ormovement of electrons from the working electrode and into theelectrolyte in response to a received sensed indicia of an increasedtemperature of the controllable cell. In an embodiment, the sensingincludes sensing indicia of an increased temperature of the electrolyteof the controllable cell or a voltage drop across the controllable cell.For example, such application is expected to reduce power output fromthe controllable cell in the presence of a short or overheating.

The at least one additional operation may include an operation 254sensing indicia of an increased temperature of the controllable cell. Inan alternative embodiment, the operation 254 may include sensing indiciaof an increased temperature of the electrolyte of the controllable cellor a voltage drop across the controllable cell. In this embodiment, thecontrol operation may include applying a voltage bias to the gatingelectrode retarding or inhibiting a release or movement of electronsfrom the working electrode and into the electrolyte in response to areceived sensed indicia of an increased temperature of the controllablecell. The at least one additional operation may include an operation 256outputting electric power from the controllable cell to the electricalload.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example system 300. The system includes means 310for coupling a controllable electrochemical cell configured to outputelectric power to an electrical load. The system includes means 320 forreceiving indicia of an electrical property of an electrical loadcoupled to a controllable electrochemical cell. The system includesmeans 330 for biasing a gating electrode of the controllableelectrochemical cell 340 in response to the indicia of the electricalproperty of the electrical load. The controllable cell is configured tooutput electric power and includes a working electrode configured totransfer electrons to or from an electrolyte of the controllable cell.The gating electrode is spaced-apart from the working electrode andconfigured if biased relative to the working electrode to modify anelectric charge, field, or potential in the space between theelectrolyte and the working electrode.

In an embodiment, the system 300 includes means 310 for coupling thecontrollable electrochemical cell to the electrical load. In anembodiment, the system includes means 350 for sensing indicia of achange in current draw or a voltage across output terminal electrodes ofthe controllable cell. In an embodiment, the system includes means 360for sensing indicia of an increased temperature of the controllablecell.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an environment 400 in which embodimentsmay be implemented. The environment includes an external load 490 and asystem 405. The system includes at least two individually controllableelectrochemical cells configured to output electric power. A firstindividually controllable cell is illustrated as controllable cell 410A,and a second controllable cell is illustrated as controllable cell 410B.Each individually controllable cell includes an electrolyte, illustratedas first electrolyte 412A and second electrolyte 412B. Each individuallycontrollable cell includes first working electrode configured totransfer electrons to or from the electrolyte, respectively illustratedas a working electrode 420A located in an interfacial region 422A in thefirst electrolyte and a working electrode 420B located in an interfacialregion 422B in the second electrolyte. Each individually controllablecell includes second working electrode configured to transfer electronsto or from the electrolyte, respectively illustrated as a workingelectrode 430A located in an interfacial region 432A in the firstelectrolyte and a working electrode 430B located in an interfacialregion 432B in the second electrolyte. Each individually controllablecell includes a gating electrode spaced-apart from the second workingelectrode and configured if biased relative to the second workingelectrode to modify an electric charge, field, or potential in the spacebetween the electrolyte and the second working electrode. The gatingelectrode is respectively illustrated as a gating electrode 440Aspaced-apart 442A from the second electrode 440A and a gating electrode440B spaced-apart 442B from the second electrode 440B. In an embodiment,the gating electrodes are respectively interposed in the electrolyte ina path of electron flow between the first working electrode and thesecond working electrode. The system includes a control circuit 450coupled to apply a respective biasing signal to each gating electrode ofeach controllable cell of the at least two controllable cells. In anembodiment of the system, one or more blocking devices may be used toprevent a reverse current flowing from one controllable cell to anothercontrollable cell of the at least two controllable cells. For example,FIG. 5 illustrates reverse current protection respectively provided bydevices 482A and 482B to controllable cell 410A and 410B. For example, ablocking device may include an electronic component. For example, theblocking device may include a diode. For example, the blocking devicemay include a FET or MOSFET.

In an embodiment of the system 405, the at least two controllable cellsare each configured to store or output electrical power. In anembodiment of the system, a first controllable cell of the at least twocontrollable cells has a property that is different from the property ofa second controllable cell of the at least two controllable cells. Forexample, a property may include an age, voltage, discharge capacity,internal impedance, or charge level. In an embodiment, a firstcontrollable cell of the at least two controllable cells has a higherdischarge rate relative to a discharge rate of the second controllablecell of the at least two controllable cells. For example, pairing afast, high discharge rate controllable cell with a low discharge rate,high capacity controllable cell may allow the combined output current416 to have a waveform with sharp edges or rapid transitions, such as asquare wave or pulse train. In an embodiment, a first controllable cellof the at least two controllable cells has a higher discharge staterelative to a discharge state of the second controllable cell of the atleast two controllable cells. In an embodiment, a first controllablecell of the at least two controllable cells has a higher recharge raterelative to a recharge rate of the second controllable cell of the atleast two controllable cells. For example, both controllable cells mayhave a same capacity, but one recharges faster because of age or anotherfactor or parameter. For example, the first controllable cell may have adifferent capacity or chemistry than the second controllable cell, andthus have difference recharge rates. In an embodiment, “capacity”describes an ability of a controllable cell to store electric charge. Inan embodiment, a first controllable cell of the at least twocontrollable cells has a higher available capacity relative to anavailable capacity of the second controllable cell of the at least twocontrollable cells. In an embodiment, a first controllable cell of theat least two controllable cells is optimized for capacity and a secondcontrollable cell of the at least two controllable cells is optimizedfor power. In an embodiment, a controllable cell optimized for powerincludes a controllable cell optimized to discharge current at a high Cvalue, or to deliver high current pulses. In an embodiment, a firstcontrollable cell of the at least two controllable cells has a firstexpected working life and the second controllable cell of the at leasttwo controllable cells has a second expected working life. In anembodiment, a first controllable cell of the at least two controllablecells has a first operational cost and the second controllable cell ofthe at least two controllable cells has a second operational cost. In anembodiment, a first controllable cell of the at least two controllablecells has a first remaining useful life and the second controllable cellof the at least two controllable cells has a second remaining usefullife. For example, a remaining useful life may be a projected remaininguseful life, or an estimated useful life based upon a measured propertyof the controllable cell.

In an embodiment of the system 405, the respective biasing signals aregenerated by the control circuit 450 responsive to the property of acontrollable cell 410A of the at least two controllable cells and theproperty of a controllable cell 410B of the at least two controllablecells. In an embodiment, property includes a characteristic, or aparameter of a controllable cell. For example, a first biasing signal tothe gating electrode 440A is responsive to a property of thecontrollable cell 410A, and a second biasing signal to the gatingelectrode 440B is responsive to a property of the controllable cell410B. In an embodiment, the respective biasing signals may be responsiveto the same property. In an embodiment, the respective biasing signalsmay be responsive to a property of the controllable cell 410A andanother property of the controllable cell 410B.

In an embodiment, the respective biasing signals are generated by thecontrol circuit 450 in response to an electrical property of an externalelectrical load 490 coupled to the at least two controllable cells410A-410B. In an embodiment, the respective biasing signals aregenerated by the control circuit in response to an electric powerrequirement of the external electrical load coupled to the at least twocontrollable cells. In an embodiment, the respective biasing signals aregenerated by the control circuit in response to a condition of theexternal electrical load coupled to the at least two controllable cells.In an embodiment, the respective biasing signals are generated by thecontrol circuit in response to an optimization algorithm that evaluatesa respective impact on each of the at least two controllable cells inresponding to the electrical property of the external electrical load.For example, the optimization algorithm may respectively evaluate atleast one of heat, life, or efficiency of the at least two controllablecells 410A-410B in responding to the electrical property of the externalelectrical load. In an embodiment, the respective biasing signals aregenerated by the control circuit in response to an optimizationalgorithm that includes evaluating a respective impact on each of the atleast two controllable cells in fulfilling an electric power requirementof the external electrical load. For example, the optimization algorithmmay respond to a load, timing, or waveform requirement of the externalelectrical load.

In an embodiment, the external electrical load 490 may include load thatabsorbs power from the at least two controllable cells 410A-410B orsupplies power to the at least two controllable cells in the case wherethey are rechargeable. In an embodiment, the external electrical loadincludes a current sink. For example, a current sink may include aresistive load. For example, a current sink may include an electronicdevice, such as a computing device. For example, a current sink mayinclude an electric traction motor of an electric or hybrid vehicle. Inan embodiment, the external electric load may include a current source.For example, a current source may include charging device charging orconfigured to recharge the electrochemical cell.

In an embodiment, the respective biasing signals are generated by thecontrol circuit 450 in response to (i) a property of a firstcontrollable cell 410A of the at least two controllable cells, (ii) aproperty of a second controllable cell 410B of the at least twocontrollable cells, and (iii) an electrical property of an externalelectrical load 490 coupled to the at least two controllable cells.

In an embodiment, the respective biasing signals are generated by thecontrol circuit 450 in response to an arbitrary waveform requirement ofan external electrical load 490 coupled to the at least two controllablecells 410A-410B. In an embodiment, the respective biasing signalsinclude coordinating the respective output of electric power by the atleast two controllable cells in meeting the arbitrary waveformrequirement of the external electrical load. In an embodiment, thearbitrary waveform requirement of the external electrical load includesa DC wave having a peak of less than 6 volts. In an embodiment, therespective biasing signals are generated by the control circuit tocollectively drive the at least two controllable cells to synthesize aparticular waveform in electric power outputted to an external electricload. In an embodiment, the respective biasing signals are generated bythe control circuit to provide regular, repetitive rest periods for eachcontrollable cell of the at least two controllable cells.

In an embodiment, a first controllable cell 410A of the at least twocontrollable cells 410A-410B includes a rechargeable first controllablecell. In an embodiment, the at least two controllable cells are coupledto the external electrical load 490 in series. In an embodiment, the atleast two controllable cells are coupled to the external electrical loadin parallel. In an embodiment, the at least two controllable cellsinclude at least four controllable cells. A first subset of the at leastfour controllable cells are coupled in a first series of controllablecells. A second subset of the at least four controllable cells arecoupled in a second series of controllable cells, and the first subsetof controllable cells and the second subset of controllable cells arecoupled in parallel to an external electrical load.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example operational flow 500. After a startoperation, the operational flow includes a reception operation 520. Thereception operation includes receiving indicia of an electrical propertyof an electrical load coupled to at least two controllableelectrochemical cells. In an embodiment, the reception operation may beimplemented by the control circuit 450 described in conjunction withFIG. 5 receiving a result from a testing the external load 490 for theelectrical property, or receiving the indicia of the electrical propertyfrom the electrical load or a third-party device. A control operation530 includes applying a respective biasing signal to a gating electrodeof each controllable cell of the at least two controllable cells. Thebiasing signal is responsive to the indicia of the electrical propertyof the electrical load or to a respective property of the at least twocontrollable cells. In an embodiment, the control operation may beimplemented by the control unit biasing the gating electrodes 440A and440B described in conjunction with FIG. 5 in response to the indicia ofthe electrical property of the electrical load. Each controllable cellis configured to output electrical power and includes a workingelectrode configured to transfer electrons to or from an electrolyte ofthe controllable cell. Each controllable cell includes the gatingelectrode spaced-apart from the working electrode and configured ifbiased relative to the working electrode to modify an electric charge,field, or potential in the space between the electrolyte and the workingelectrode. The operational flow includes an end operation.

In an embodiment, the operational flow 500 includes a connectionoperation 510. The connection operation includes coupling the at leasttwo controllable electrochemical cells to the electrical load. In anembodiment, the connection operation may be implemented by connectingterminal electrodes of the at least two controllable cells 410A-410Bwith the external load 490 described in conjunction with FIG. 5. In anembodiment, the reception operation 520 includes receiving indicia of anelectric power requirement of the electrical load. In an embodiment, thereception operation includes receiving indicia of a condition of theelectrical load.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the operational flow 500of FIG. 6. In an embodiment, the operational flow may include at leastone additional operation 550. The at least one additional operation mayinclude an operation 552 generating the respective biasing signals inresponse to the electrical property of the external electrical load. Inan embodiment, the generating includes generating the respective biasingsignals in response to an electric power requirement of the externalelectrical load. In an embodiment, the generating includes generatingthe respective biasing signals in response to a condition of theexternal electrical load. In an embodiment, the generating includesgenerating the respective biasing signals in response to indicia of acurrent draw or a voltage drop across output terminal electrodes of theat least two controllable cells coupled with the electrical load. In anembodiment, the generating includes generating the respective biasingsignals in response to an optimization algorithm that evaluates arespective impact on each of the at least two controllable cells inresponding to the electrical property of the external electrical load.

The at least one additional operation 550 may include an operation 554generating the respective biasing signals in response to an optimizationalgorithm that includes evaluating a respective impact on each of the atleast two controllable cells in responding to the electrical property ofthe external electrical load. The at least one additional operation mayinclude an operation 556 generating the respective biasing signals inresponse to the property of a first controllable cell of the at leasttwo controllable cells and the property of a second controllable cell ofthe at least two controllable cells.

The at least one additional operation may include an operation 558assigning an aspect of a response to the electrical property of theelectrical load to a controllable cell of the at least two controllablecells, and generating a biasing signal based upon the assigned aspect.For example, the assignment of an aspect of the electrical property mayinclude dividing out or parsing a response by the control operation 530to the electrical property of the electrical load among the at least twocontrollable cells. For example, the assignment of an aspect of theelectrical property may include decomposing or dividing a response bythe control operation 530 to the electrical property of the electricalload into several aspects, and respectively assigning fulfillment of theseveral aspects across the at least two cells. In an embodiment, theassignment includes an assignment of at least two aspects of theelectric power requirement among the at least two controllable cells inresponse to a respective impact on the at least two controllable cellsin fulfilling the electric power requirement. In an embodiment, theassignment includes an assignment of at least two aspects of theelectric power requirement among the at least two controllable cells inresponse to a respective property of the at least two controllable cellsrelated to fulfilling the electric power requirement. In an embodiment,the assignment includes an assignment of at least two aspects of theelectric power requirement among the at least two controllable cells inresponse to an optimization algorithm that includes evaluating aproperty of the at least two controllable cells. For example, theevaluated property may include cost, controllable cell life, or alikelihood of compliance with the electrical power requirement.

In an embodiment of the control operation 530, the biasing signal isresponsive to the indicia of the electrical property of the electricalload and to a respective property of the at least two controllablecells.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example system 600. The system includes means 620for receiving indicia of an electrical property of an electrical loadcoupled to at least two controllable electrochemical cells configured tooutput electric power. The system includes means 630 for applying arespective biasing signal to a gating electrode of each controllablecell of the at least two controllable cells. The biasing signal isresponsive to the indicia of the electrical property of the electricalload or to a respective property of the at least two controllable cells.Each controllable cell of the at least two controllable cells 640 isconfigured to output electric power and includes a working electrodeconfigured to transfer electrons to or from an electrolyte of thecontrollable cell. The gating electrode is spaced-apart from the workingelectrode and configured if biased relative to the working electrode tomodify an electric charge, field, or potential in the space between theelectrolyte and the working electrode.

In an embodiment, the system 600 includes means 610 for coupling atleast two controllable electrochemical cells to the electrical load. Inan embodiment, the means 610 includes a means for coupling the at leasttwo controllable cells in parallel to the electrical load. In anembodiment, the system 600 includes means 650 for generating therespective biasing signals in response to the electrical property of theexternal electrical load. In an embodiment, the system includes means660 for generating the respective biasing signals in response to anoptimization algorithm that includes evaluating a respective impact oneach of the at least two controllable cells in responding the electricalproperty of the external electrical load. In an embodiment, the systemincludes means 670 for generating the respective biasing signals inresponse to the property of a first controllable cell of the at leasttwo controllable cells and the property of a second controllable cell ofthe at least two controllable cells. In an embodiment, the systemincludes means 680 for assigning an aspect of a response to theelectrical property of the electrical load to a controllable cell of theat least two controllable cells, and generating a biasing signal basedupon the assigned aspect.

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates an environment 700 in which embodimentsmay be implemented. The environment includes a system 705 and anexternal load 790. The system includes a controllable electrochemicalcell configured to output electric power 710. The controllable cell isconfigured to output pulsed electric power. The controllable cellincludes an electrolyte 712. The controllable cell includes a firstworking electrode 720 configured to transfer electrons 114 to or fromthe electrolyte. The controllable cell includes a second workingelectrode 730 configured to transfer electrons to or from theelectrolyte. The controllable cell includes a gating electrode 740spaced-apart 742 from the second working electrode. The gating electrodeis configured if biased relative to the second working electrode tomodify an electric charge, field, or potential in the space between theelectrolyte and the second working electrode. The controllable cellincludes a control circuit 750 configured to establish a nonlinearvoltage-current property of the controllable cell in response to anexternally originated trigger signal. For example, a controllable cellconfigured to output pulsed electric power may have a high electrodearea, and a small gap between the first and second working electrodes.In an embodiment, the first working electrode is in a first interfacialregion 722 of the electrolyte proximate to the first working electrode.In an embodiment, the second working electrode is in a secondinterfacial region 732 of the electrolyte proximate to the secondworking electrode.

In an embodiment of the system 705, the controllable cell is configuredto store electrical power or output pulsed electric power. In anembodiment, the first working electrode 720, the second workingelectrode 730, and the gating electrode 740 are configured incombination to output electrical power having a nonlinearvoltage-current property. In an embodiment, the first working electrode,the second working electrode, the gating electrode, and the controlcircuit are configured so that the system is capable of outputtingelectrical power having a nonlinear voltage-current property to anattached electrical load. In an embodiment, the nonlinearvoltage-current property includes a bi-stable current source property.In an embodiment, the bi-stable current property includes a behavior atleast substantially similar to a thyristor. For example, a thyristorbehavior may include a configuration to operate as a bi-stable currentsource, or a configuration to operate as a nonlinear current source. Inan embodiment of the system 705, the establishment of a nonlinearvoltage current property in the controllable cell 710 also establishes anonlinear voltage current property in one or more other cells coupled tothe controllable cell 710 in series.

In an embodiment, the controllable cell 710 is configured to allow adrain rate greater than 2 C without overheating or damage. In anembodiment, the controllable cell is configured to allow a drain rategreater than 4 C without overheating or damage. In an embodiment, thecontrollable cell is configured to allow a drain rate greater than 12 Cwithout overheating or damage.

In an embodiment, the control circuit 750 includes a control circuitconfigured to provide a feedback connection between the second workingelectrode 730 and the gating electrode 740 of the controllable cell 710.The feedback connection is configured to establish a nonlinearvoltage-current property of the controllable cell in response to anexternally originated trigger signal. In an embodiment, the controllablecell is configured to (i) accelerate or facilitate a release or movementof electrons 114 from the second electrode and into the electrolyte 712in response to application of a first voltage bias to the gatingelectrode, and (ii) retard or inhibit the release or movement ofelectrons from the second electrode and into the electrolyte in responseto application of a second voltage bias to the gating electrode. In anembodiment, the control circuit is configured to apply the first voltagebias to the gating electrode or the second voltage bias to the gatingelectrode in response to an externally originated trigger signal. In anembodiment, the controllable cell is configured to (i) output a highcurrent by accelerating or facilitating a release or movement ofelectrons from the second electrode and into the electrolyte in responseto application of a first voltage bias to the gating electrode, and (ii)output only a minimal or substantially zero current by retarding orinhibiting the release or movement of electrons from the secondelectrode and into the electrolyte in response to application of asecond voltage bias to the gating electrode. In an embodiment, thecontrol circuit is configured to apply the first voltage bias to thegating electrode or the second voltage bias to the gating electrode inresponse to an externally originated trigger signal.

In an embodiment, the externally originated trigger signal is originatedby an external load 790 coupled with the controllable cell 710. In anembodiment, the externally originated trigger signal is originated by atrigger signal source 795 other than an external load coupled with thecontrollable cell.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example operational flow 800. After a startoperation, the operational flow includes a reception operation 820. Thereception operation includes receiving an externally originated triggersignal. In an embodiment, the reception operation may be implemented bythe control circuit 750 receiving an externally originated triggersignal from either the external load or the trigger signal source 795described in conjunction with FIG. 9. A control operation 830 includesestablishing a nonlinear voltage-current behavior in a controllableelectrochemical cell by biasing a gating electrode of the controllablecell in response to the externally originated trigger signal. In anembodiment, the control operation may be implemented by the controlcircuit 750 biasing the gating electrode 740 as described in conjunctionwith FIG. 9. The controllable cell is configured to output pulsedelectric power and includes a working electrode configured to transferelectrons to or from an electrolyte of the controllable cell. Thecontrollable cell includes a gating electrode spaced-apart from aworking electrode, and is configured if biased relative to the workingelectrode to modify an electric charge, field, or potential in the spacebetween the electrolyte and the working electrode. The operational flowincludes an end operation.

An embodiment of the operational flow 800 includes a connectingoperation 810, which includes coupling the controllable electrochemicalcell to an electrical load. In an embodiment, the connecting operationmay be implemented by coupling the controllable cell 710 with theexternal load 790 described in conjunction with FIG. 9. In an embodimentof the control operation 830, the establishing a nonlinearvoltage-current behavior includes establishing a first nonlinearvoltage-current behavior by applying a first voltage bias to the gatingelectrode. The first voltage bias is selected to accelerate orfacilitate a release or movement of electrons from the second electrodeand into the electrolyte in response to a first externally originatedtrigger signal. In an embodiment, the establishing a nonlinearvoltage-current behavior includes establishing a high current outputfrom the controllable cell by applying a first voltage bias to thegating electrode. The first voltage bias is selected to accelerate orfacilitate a release or movement of electrons from the second electrodeand into the electrolyte in response to a first externally originatedtrigger signal. In an embodiment, the establishing a nonlinearvoltage-current behavior includes establishing a second nonlinearvoltage-current behavior by applying a second voltage bias to the gatingelectrode. The second voltage bias is selected to retard or inhibit arelease or movement of electrons from the second electrode and into theelectrolyte in response to a second externally originated triggersignal. In an embodiment, the establishing a nonlinear voltage-currentbehavior includes establishing a low or substantially zero currentoutput from the controllable cell by applying a second voltage bias tothe gating electrode. The second voltage bias is selected to retard orinhibit a release or movement of electrons from the second electrode andinto the electrolyte in response to a second externally originatedtrigger signal.

FIG. 11 schematically illustrates an environment 900. The environmentincludes a system 905 and an external load 990. The system includes acontrollable electrochemical cell 910 configured to output electricpower. The controllable cell includes an electrolyte 912. Thecontrollable cell includes first working electrode 920 configured totransfer electrons 114 to or from the electrolyte. The controllable cellincludes a second working electrode 930 configured to transfer electronsto or from the electrolyte. The controllable cell includes a gatingelectrode 940 spaced-apart 942 from the second working electrode. Thegating electrode configured if biased relative to the second workingelectrode to modify an electric charge, field, or potential in the spacebetween the electrolyte and the second working electrode. The gatingelectrode and the second working electrode of the controllable cell areconfigured so that the controllable cell provides a voltage or currentgreater than a limited value to an external electrical load coupled tothe controllable cell only if the gating electrode is appropriatelybiased. In an embodiment, the first working electrode is in a firstinterfacial region 922 of the electrolyte proximate to the first workingelectrode. In an embodiment, the second working electrode is in a secondinterfacial region 932 of the electrolyte proximate to the secondworking electrode.

In an embodiment, the controllable cell 910 includes a controllableelectrochemical cell configured to store or output electric power. inconjunction with a request for electric power from the controllableelectrochemical cell. In an embodiment, the system 905 includes acontrol circuit 950 coupled to the gating electrode 940, and configuredto apply the appropriate bias to the gating electrode only if a validuse authorization is received. In an embodiment, the control circuit isconfigured to apply the appropriate bias from an external power 952source to the gating electrode only if a valid use authorization isreceived. In an embodiment, the use authorization relates to a safetycondition having been met. In an embodiment, the use authorizationrelates to an absence of an alarm condition. In an embodiment, the useauthorization includes receipt of a valid user-specific key. In anembodiment, the user-specific key is configured to allow only a specificauthorized user to operate the controllable cell. In an embodiment, theuser-specific key is configured to authorize only a specific user of atleast two registered users to operate the controllable cell. In anembodiment, the user-specific key authorizes a specific user to controloutput of the controllable cell. In an embodiment, the user-specific keyauthorizes a specific user to draw power from the controllable cell onlyup to a particular specified limit.

In an embodiment, the system 905 includes an authorization validationcircuit 960 configured to determine if a valid use authorization isreceived. In an embodiment, the system includes an authorizationreceiver circuit 970 configured to receive a tendered use authorization.For example, the tendered use authorization may be tendered by anindividual human or by a machine.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example operational flow 1000. After a startoperation, the operational flow includes a reception operation 1020. Thereception operation includes receiving a use authorization tendered inconjunction with a request for electric power from a controllableelectrochemical cell. In an embodiment, the reception operation may beimplemented by the authorization receiver circuit 970 described inconjunction with FIG. 11. A confirmation operation 1030 includesdetermining that the tendered use authorization is valid. In anembodiment, the confirmation operation may be implemented by theauthorization validation circuit 960 described in conjunction with FIG.11. A control operation 1040 includes applying an appropriate bias to agating electrode of the controllable cell so that the controllable cellprovides electric power greater than a limited value. The controllablecell is configured to output electric power and includes a workingelectrode configured to transfer electrons to or from an electrolyte ofthe controllable cell. The gating electrode is spaced-apart from theworking electrode, and configured if appropriately biased relative tothe working electrode to provide a voltage or current greater than alimited value to the external electrical load by modifying an electriccharge, field, or potential in the space between the electrolyte and theworking electrode. The operational flow includes an end operation.

In an embodiment, the operational flow 1000 includes a connectingoperation 1010. The connecting operation includes coupling thecontrollable electrochemical cell to the external electrical load. In anembodiment, the connecting operation may be implemented by connectingthe controllable cell 910 with the external load 990 described inconjunction with FIG. 11. In an embodiment of the reception operation1020, the receiving includes receiving a tendered use authorizationrelated to a safety condition having been met. For example, the safetycondition may include a fitness or suitability of the external load toreceive electric power outputted by the controllable cell. For example,the safety condition may include a fitness or readiness of thecontrollable cell to output electric power to the external load. Forexample, the tendered use authorization may be received from theexternal electrical load or from a user via an authorization receivercircuit. In an embodiment, the receiving includes receiving a tendereduse authorization related to an absence of an alarm condition. In anembodiment, the receiving includes receiving a tendered user-specifickey.

In an embodiment of the confirmation operation 1030, the determiningincludes determining that the tendered use authorization is valid inresponse to a library of at least two valid use authorizations.

In an embodiment of the control operation 1040, the applying anappropriate bias includes applying an appropriate bias supplied by anexternal power source to the gating electrode. For example, the externalpower source may include a power source incorporated in the controlcircuit, or a separate external power source, such as the external powersource 952 described in conjunction with FIG. 11.

All references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entirety or to the extent their subject matter is not otherwiseinconsistent herewith.

In some embodiments, “configured” includes at least one of designed, setup, shaped, implemented, constructed, or adapted for at least one of aparticular purpose, application, or function.

It will be understood that, in general, terms used herein, andespecially in the appended claims, are generally intended as “open”terms. For example, the term “including” should be interpreted as“including but not limited to.” For example, the term “having” should beinterpreted as “having at least.” For example, the term “has” should beinterpreted as “having at least.” For example, the term “includes”should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc. It willbe further understood that if a specific number of an introduced claimrecitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in theclaim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present.For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claimsmay contain usage of introductory phrases such as “at least one” or “oneor more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of suchphrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of aclaim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits anyparticular claim containing such introduced claim recitation toinventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claimincludes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” andindefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a receiver” shouldtypically be interpreted to mean “at least one receiver”); the sameholds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claimrecitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introducedclaim recitation is explicitly recited, it will be recognized that suchrecitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recitednumber (e.g., the bare recitation of “at least two chambers,” or “aplurality of chambers,” without other modifiers, typically means atleast two chambers).

In those instances where a phrase such as “at least one of A, B, and C,”“at least one of A, B, or C,” or “an [item] selected from the groupconsisting of A, B, and C,” is used, in general such a construction isintended to be disjunctive (e.g., any of these phrases would include butnot be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and Btogether, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together,and may further include more than one of A, B, or C, such as A.sub.1,A.sub.2, and C together, A, B.sub.1, B.sub.2, C.sub.1, and C.sub.2together, or B.sub.1 and B.sub.2 together). It will be furtherunderstood that virtually any disjunctive word or phrase presenting twoor more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, ordrawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities ofincluding one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. Forexample, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include thepossibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

The herein described aspects depict different components containedwithin, or connected with, different other components. It is to beunderstood that such depicted architectures are merely examples, andthat in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achievethe same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement ofcomponents to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated”such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any twocomponents herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can beseen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionalityis achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components.Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being“operably connected,” or “operably coupled,” to each other to achievethe desired functionality. Any two components capable of being soassociated can also be viewed as being “operably couplable” to eachother to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples ofoperably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateable orphysically interacting components or wirelessly interactable orwirelessly interacting components.

With respect to the appended claims the recited operations therein maygenerally be performed in any order. Also, although various operationalflows are presented in a sequence(s), it should be understood that thevarious operations may be performed in other orders than those which areillustrated, or may be performed concurrently. Examples of suchalternate orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted,reordered, incremental, preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous,reverse, or other variant orderings, unless context dictates otherwise.Use of “Start,” “End,” “Stop,” or the like blocks in the block diagramsis not intended to indicate a limitation on the beginning or end of anyoperations or functions in the diagram. Such flowcharts or diagrams maybe incorporated into other flowcharts or diagrams where additionalfunctions are performed before or after the functions shown in thediagrams of this application. Furthermore, terms like “responsive to,”“related to,” or other past-tense adjectives are generally not intendedto exclude such variants, unless context dictates otherwise.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, otheraspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes ofillustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scopeand spirit being indicated by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving indicia of anelectrical property of an electrical load coupled to a controllablecell; and biasing a gating electrode of the controllable cell inresponse to the indicia of the electrical property of the electricalload, the controllable cell configured to output electric power andincluding a working electrode configured to transfer electrons to orfrom an electrolyte of the controllable cell, and the gating electrodespaced-apart from the working electrode and configured if biasedrelative to the working electrode to modify an electric charge, field,or potential in the space between the electrolyte and the workingelectrode.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving includesreceiving indicia indicative of a current draw or a voltage drop acrossoutput terminal electrodes of the controllable cell coupled with theelectrical load.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the receivingincludes receiving indicia of an electric power requirement of theelectrical load.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the receivingincludes receiving indicia of a condition of the electrical load.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the receiving indicia includes receivingtiming data or synchronization data related to the electrical load. 6.The method of claim 1, wherein the biasing includes applying a voltagebias to the gating electrode facilitating or accelerating a release ormovement of electrons from the working electrode and into theelectrolyte.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the biasing includesapplying a voltage bias to the gating electrode facilitating oraccelerating a capture or movement of electrons into the workingelectrode from the electrolyte.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein thebiasing includes applying a voltage bias to the gating electroderetarding or inhibiting a release or movement of electrons from theworking electrode and into the electrolyte.
 9. The method of claim 1,wherein the biasing includes applying a voltage bias to the gatingelectrode retarding or inhibiting a capture or movement of electronsfrom the electrolyte and into the working electrode.
 10. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the receiving includes receiving indicia indicative ofa high electric power output requirement from the controllable cell. 11.The method of claim 10, wherein the biasing includes applying a voltagebias to the gating electrode facilitating a release or movement ofelectrons from the working electrode and into the electrolyte inresponse to the received indicia of a high electric power outputrequirement from the controllable cell.
 12. The method of claim 1,wherein the receiving includes receiving indicia of a minimal electricpower output requirement from the controllable cell.
 13. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: coupling the controllable electrochemicalcell to the electrical load.
 14. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: sensing indicia of a change in current draw or a voltageacross output terminal electrodes of the controllable cell.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, wherein the receiving includes receiving the sensedindicia of a change in current draw or a voltage across the outputterminal electrodes of the controllable cell.
 16. The method of claim 1,further comprising: sensing indicia of an increased temperature of thecontrollable cell.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the sensingincludes sensing indicia of an increased temperature of the electrolyteof the controllable cell or a voltage drop across the controllable cell.18. The method of claim 16, wherein the biasing includes applying avoltage bias to the gating electrode retarding or inhibiting a releaseor movement of electrons from the working electrode and into theelectrolyte in response to a received sensed indicia of an increasedtemperature of the controllable cell.
 19. A method comprising: sensingindicia of an increased temperature of a controllable cell; receivingthe indicia of the increased temperature of the controllable cell; andbiasing a gating electrode of the controllable cell in response to theindicia, the controllable cell configured to output electric power andincluding a working electrode configured to transfer electrons to orfrom an electrolyte of the controllable cell, and the gating electrodespaced-apart from the working electrode and configured if biasedrelative to the working electrode to modify an electric charge, field,or potential in the space between the electrolyte and the workingelectrode.
 20. A method comprising: sensing indicia of a change incurrent draw or a voltage across output terminal electrodes of acontrollable cell; receiving the indicia indicative of the current drawor the voltage drop across the output terminal electrodes of thecontrollable cell; and biasing a gating electrode of the controllablecell in response to the indicia, the controllable cell configured tooutput electric power and including a working electrode configured totransfer electrons to or from an electrolyte of the controllable cell,and the gating electrode spaced-apart from the working electrode andconfigured if biased relative to the working electrode to modify anelectric charge, field, or potential in the space between theelectrolyte and the working electrode.